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what happened to circe in the odyssey

by Clemmie Funk Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Odysseus follows Hermes' instructions, overpowering Circe and forcing her to change his men back to their human forms. Odysseus soon becomes Circe's lover, and he and his men live with her in luxury for a year.

Full Answer

What did Circe do to Odysseus?

Circe was known to be the daughter of the sun god, Helios. In Homer’s Odyssey, she is portrayed as a powerful witch or goddess who takes a liking to Odysseus. She has the power of transmutation and is capable of turning men into anything she likes. She was known to have lived on the island of Aiaia. So, what did Circe do to Odysseus?

How did Odysseus convince Circe to turn the pigs back into him?

Odysseus takes the herb and ends up convincing Circe to turn the pigs back into his men. Following a horrible experience on the island of the Laestrygonians, Odysseus and his remaining men come across an island known as Aeaea. It looks inviting and worth exploring for food and other supplies, so some of Odysseus’ men head out to search the island.

How is Circe similar to Calypso?

The Odyssey Circe, like Calypso, is an immortal goddess who seeks to prevent Odysseus from returning home. Also like Calypso, Circe is described as “lustrous” and “the nymph with the lovely braids,” and is first seen weaving at her loom. Circe has magic powers, which she uses to turn some of Odysseus’s men into pigs.

What happened to Odysseus crew when he left Aeaea?

Odysseus left Aeaea the next morning, well-prepared for the rest of his voyage thanks to the wise counsel of the sorceress Circe. Despite the initial danger, only one member of the crew died on Circe’s island. The youngest of the men had been sitting on the roof and, in his hurry to depart, had fallen.

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What happens to Circe in the end?

The book ends with Circe making a potion to bring forth her true self. She then has a vision of herself as a mortal, growing old with Telemachus. She drinks the potion. For more detail, see the full Section-by-Section Summary.

What happened to Circe after Odysseus?

After burying Odysseus, Circe made the other three immortal. Circe married Telemachus, and Telegonus married Penelope by the advice of Athena.

Does Circe fall in love with Odysseus?

In the Odyssey, she turns Odysseus' men into pigs, but after he challenges her, she takes him as a lover, allowing him and his men to stay with her and aiding them when they depart again. Circe has had a long literary life, inspiring writers such as Ovid, James Joyce, Eudora Welty, and Margaret Atwood.

How was Circe defeated?

She allied herself with Magog and used her magical abilities to manipulate Superman into battling Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman broke Superman out of the mind control, and the pair defeated Circe and Magog.

Does Circe marry Telemachus?

According to later tradition, Telemachus married Circe (or Calypso) after Odysseus' death.

Did Odysseus and Circe have a child?

Telegonus, in Greek mythology, especially the Telagonia of Eugammon of Cyrene, the son of the hero Odysseus by the sorceress Circe. Telegonus went to Ithaca in search of his father, whom he killed unwittingly.

Why did Odysseus sleep with Circe?

Odysseus refuses unless she meets his conditions: Circe must turn his men whom she earlier transformed into pigs back into humans, and she must promise never to use her magic to harm him. Once they strike a bargain, Odysseus sleeps with Circe.

Does Circe turn into a mortal?

After she knows herself to be in love with Telemachus (a mortal), Circe decides to transfigure herself into a mortal, too. Her decision paints immortality as a curse, rather than a blessing.

Who killed Odysseus?

TelegonosThe royal couple, together again after ten long years of separation, lived happily ever after, or not quite. For in a tragic final twist, an aged Odysseus was killed by Telegonos, his son by Circe, when he landed on Ithaca and in battle, unknowingly killed his own father.

What is the main point of the story of Circe?

Despised by her divine family, Circe discovers her powers of sorcery when she turns a human fisherman into a god. When he spurns her for another nymph, Scylla, Circe transforms her rival into a horrific sea monster who becomes the sourge of all sailors – an act that will haunt Circe for the rest of her life.

How long did Odysseus stay with Circe?

one yearThe Greek hero Odysseus visited her island, Aeaea, with his companions, whom she changed into swine. But Odysseus, protected by the herb moly (a gift from Hermes), compelled her to restore them to their original shape. He stayed with her for one year before resuming his journey.

Why was Circe banished?

As punishment for admitting her witchcraft, Circe is banished by Zeus to eternal exile on the island of Aiaia. She uses the beginning of her exile to study and hone her witchcraft, tending gardens and experimenting with draughts.

Did Circe turn into a mortal?

In her novel, Circe's deceptively soft voice produces grave consequences. When sailors wash up on her island, she welcomes them with wine and food, and they mistake her for a mortal. After a violent encounter with one sailor, she begins preemptively attacking them, turning them into pigs.

Does Circe have a sad ending?

It turns out, Circe does leave this world behind. By committing suicide. After all that, all her rage and learning and growth and fighting, she ultimately decides to just give up and kill herself.

Why did Circe turn them into pigs?

Miller said she novelized the story of Circe, a witch from The Odyssey who turns men into pigs, because she wanted more freedom to explore the character.

Did Circe turn Odysseus into a pig?

Circe, in Greek legend, a sorceress, the daughter of Helios, the sun god, and of the ocean nymph Perse. She was able by means of drugs and incantations to change humans into wolves, lions, and swine. The Greek hero Odysseus visited her island, Aeaea, with his companions, whom she changed into swine.

How does Circe pronounced?

The correct English pronunciation of Circe does not follow the Greek pronunciation. The ancient Greeks would have pronounced the "c"s with a "k" so...

What is Circe the goddess of?

In Greek mythology, Circe is a minor god. She is well-know as an enchantress and is often considered the goddess of magic.

Does Odysseus sleep with Circe?

Yes, Odysseus does sleep with Circe. In fact, they had at least three sons together -- Agrius, Latinus, and Telegonus.

Why is Circe important in the Odyssey?

Circe is important in the Odyssey because she provides Odysseus with information on how to return to Ithaca. She informs him that he must travel to...

Circe's Father, a Greek God

The parents of Circe, Helios, the god of the sun, and Perse, an ocean nymph, made her part of a lineage of powerful sorcerers.

Is Circe a Goddess?

Due to her lineage, it has been somewhat challenging to determine Circe's classification. While Homer considered her a goddess in the Odyssey, other writers characterize her as a witch, sorceress, or enchantress. Retellings of the myths that included Circe often focus on her as a practitioner of magic.

Odysseus and Circe

Once Odysseus confronts the witch and drinks her wine, Circe pulls out her want to transform him, yet she is powerless against him, so he pulls out his sword. He then forces her to restore his men, which she does. Circe devotes herself to Odysseus due to his bravery; therefore, he and his men stay on Aeaea for approximately one year.

Circe After the Odyssey

According to the Telegony, an epic poem written by Eugammon of Cyrene after the Odyessy, Odysseus leads the Thesprotians as they war with the Brygi. While away, Telegonus searches for his father. Upon arriving in Ithaca, he ravages the island, prompting Odysseus to return home.

What Does Circe Do to Some of Odysseus’ Crew?

Circe invites some of Odysseus’ crew into her cottage for dinner. She feeds them a wonderful feast and then turns them each into a pig. She has her eyes on Odysseus, so she thought the best way to get him to come to her would be to steal his men and keep them as her pet pigs. Her plan works wonderfully because Odysseus soon comes to her to convince her to release his men.

How and Why does Odysseus leave Circe’s island?

Odysseus’ intent was never to stay on the island with Circe. He was a man who was known to have his fair share of affairs. Although he was enchanted with her for a year, or three, he eventually got bored of her and wanted to continue on his journey home. No matter what obstacle Odysseus comes across, his desire to return home helps him make it through. Nothing can stop him from making it to Ithica, including Circe and her seductive ways.

How Long Was Odysseus With Circe?

The length of time Odysseus is with Circe varies. It can be anywhere from one year to three. Some stories say Odysseus and his men were happy to stay on the island and that they were well fed and content with the beautiful beaches. Other stories claim they were unhappy being on the island and wanted to leave, but Odysseus was too enamoured with Circe to go anywhere. The length of time Odysseus and his men are on the island just prolongs their journey home.

What Instructions Does Circe Give Odysseus?

Tiresias will tell them what he needs to do in order to return to Ithica. Circe also warns Odysseus about the Sirens, giving him advice on how to avoid their seductive songs. She tells him his men must stuff their ears with wax and then tie Odysseus to the mast of the ship. Because of her advice, Odysseus and his men escape from the dreadful Sirens.

What does Hermes tell Odysseus about Circe?

Hermes warns him about Circe’s power and what she is capable of. He then gives Odysseus a special herb that will protect him from Circe’s spells. Odysseus meets Circe and forces her to turn the pigs back into his men. She eventually obliges him and all of his men are returned unharmed.

What happens when Circe gets tired of a suitor?

But when Circe grows tired of a suitor, she is known to change the suitor into an animal and then keep him as her pet. Her former suitors are the animals that are now licking the men’s hands. When Odysseus and his men landed, Circe took an immediate liking to him. She comes up with a plan.

How long did Odysseus stay on the island?

Odysseus and his men end up staying on the island with Circe for three years. It was said they were all quite happy there, as there were enough food and beautiful beaches to keep them quite content.

What is Circe's name?

Circe, in Greek legend, a sorceress , the daughter of Helios, the sun god, and of the ocean nymph Perse. She was able by means of drugs and incantations to change humans into wolves, lions, and swine.

Who was the hero of Odysseus?

Telegonus. …hero Odysseus by the sorceress Circe. Telegonus went to Ithaca in search of his father, whom he killed unwittingly. His spear had been tipped with the point of a stingray, thus fulfilling the prophecy in Homer’s Odyssey that death would come to Odysseus “from the sea.”. Telegonus returned with Odysseus’s…. Odysseus.

Who was Odysseus' father?

According to Homer, Odysseus was king of Ithaca, son of Laertes and Anticleia (the daughter of Autolycus of Parnassus), and father, by his wife, Penelope, of Telemachus. (In later…. History at your fingertips.

Why did Circe go to Circe?

He went to Circe for help in winning Scylla’s affections. Her knowledge of herbs and spells meant she could create a love potion that would make Scylla return his love.

What was the moralistic interpretation of Odysseus' encounter with Circe?

Among the moralistic interpretations of Odysseus’s encounter with Circe were: Socrates claimed that the men had fallen victim to gluttony and lost self-control. An Italian writer of the Renaissance interpreted Circe as a prostitute, and the crewmen had sinned by letting lust control them.

What did Circe ask Medea to tell her?

When Circe had finished the rituals that would keep Zeus’s anger at bay, she asked Medea to tell her their story. She did, but omitted the death of her brother.

What is Circe most known for?

Circe is most well-known for the role she plays in the epic voyage of Odysseus.

Why did Odysseus go alone?

Odysseus went alone so as to not risk any more men, while his second in command pleaded with him to not put himself in danger. As he traveled the path to the house, he was met by Hermes. The god offered assistance in avoiding Circe’s traps. First, he gave Odysseus an herb called moly.

Why was the crew turned to animals and waylaid for a year?

Many later writers found a moral lesson in the character of Circe, however. The crew was turned to animals and waylaid for a year because of some fault.

Who helped Odysseus find his way?

But there was a lot more to the story of Circe than how she helped Odysseus find his way after placing a spell on some of his men.

Why is Circe linked to the body?

This manifestation is linked to the body because Circe remains on the island of Aeaea “the consciousness of the earth (of the body). ” It is intelligible because the goddess is “gifted with voice.”

What book is the departure from the island of Circe?

Next : The Departure from the Island of Circe and the Invocation of the Dead (End of Book X and Book XI Nekuia) >>

What is the difference between Aietes and Circe?

Circe is therefore the symbol of a manifestation of the supramental consciousness,the discerning vision of Truth in all details” in matter, whereas Aietes is rather a global vision of Truth from the heights of the Spirit.

Why can't Odysseus eat?

She had four nymphs at her service who prepared the hero’s bath and set the table. But Odysseus (Ulysses) could not eat because his stomach was knotted. So he begged the goddess to free his people, which she did without delay: the pigs became younger, more beautiful and taller men again. Circe then invited the hero and his entire crew to stay at her home.

What is the warning of the seeker?

The seeker is then “warned” by an intuition from the overmind that his vision of himself in truth can be his undoing if he does not take the precaution to oppose an intelligent understanding from the highest levels of the mind (Odysseus (Ulysses) must oppose the drug of Circe, the one Hermes will give him).

Where did Odysseus live?

Odysseus (Ulysses) arrived on the island of Aeaea where Circe with the beautiful hair lived, a fearsome goddess endowed with voice. She was a daughter of Helios and the nymph Perseis, and thus a sister of Aietes, the king of Colchide.

What did Hermes teach the hero?

Then Hermes pulled from the ground a herb whose root was black and the flower white like milk, and taught the hero its properties . The gods called it “Molu” and the mortals had great difficulty in pulling it.

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1.The Odyssey: Circe | SparkNotes

Url:https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/character/circe/

34 hours ago WebThe Odyssey. Circe, like Calypso, is an immortal goddess who seeks to prevent Odysseus from returning home. Also like Calypso, Circe is described as “lustrous” and “the nymph with the lovely braids,” and is first seen weaving at her loom. Circe has magic powers, which she uses to turn some of Odysseus’s men into pigs. When Odysseus resists her magic with …

2.Circe in the Odyssey | Mythology & Summary | Study.com

Url:https://study.com/learn/lesson/circe-odyssey-summary-myth.html

24 hours ago Web · Circe in the Odyssey. After losing 11 of his 12 ships to the Laestrygonians, a race of cannibalistic giants, Odysseus, and his remaining men found themselves on the island of Aeaea, Circe's home.

3.Videos of What Happened To Circe In The Odyssey

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26 hours ago Web · Therefore, in the Odyssey, Circe is defeated by Odysseus, and she subsequently becomes a generous host and a proper woman. After Odysseus counters Circe’s position thanks to the moly, he menaces her with a sword, at which Circe kneels and begs for mercy.

4.What did Circe do to Odysseus? - Myth Nerd

Url:https://mythnerd.com/what-did-circe-do-to-odysseus/

13 hours ago WebTogether Odysseus and Circe have a son, Telegonus. But, although it seems everything is perfect, it doesn’t remain so. Odysseus grows bored with Circe and he and his men want to leave her to continue their journey onward to Ithica. Circe is upset by this but she allows Odysseus and his men to leave her island.

5.Circe | Greek mythology | Britannica

Url:https://www.britannica.com/topic/Circe-Greek-mythology

17 hours ago WebCirce, in Greek legend, a sorceress, the daughter of Helios, the sun god, and of the ocean nymph Perse. She was able by means of drugs and incantations to change humans into wolves, lions, and swine. The Greek hero Odysseus visited her island, Aeaea, with his companions, whom she changed into swine.

6.Circe: The Complete Guide to the Sorceress of Greek …

Url:https://mythologysource.com/circe-greek-goddess/

30 hours ago Web · When Odysseus and his men land on the Island of Circe, the goddess-enchantress turns the men into pigs. After he defeats Circe …

7.Odyssey - The Island of Circe - Interpretation - Mythologie …

Url:https://www.greekmyths-interpretation.com/en/odyssey-island-circe-interpretation/

32 hours ago Web · Circe in Homer’s Odyssey. Circe is most well-known for the role she plays in the epic voyage of Odysseus. Odysseus and his crew landed on the fictional island of Aeaea in the far west as they struggled to reach Ithaca. He sent some of men to scout the island after seeing smoke from a chimney rising up from the forest.

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